Zela: Inside the fancy Japanese restaurant financially backed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal and Enrique Iglesias

The Juventus forward is one of a number of celebrity financial backers behind fancy Japanese/Mediterranean eaterie, Zela, which opened its doors late September.

Located in the heart of the West End, inside the Strand's trendy ME London hotel, it's bound to attract the world's greatest sports stars.

In fact, Ronaldo, 33, dropped into Zela only last week to sample their delightful cuisine.

And he was probably there to celebrate his reported engagement to his gorgeous missus Georgina Rodriguez, who joined him on the date night to chow down on posh nosh.

Owned by entrepreneurs Manuel Campos Guallar and Abel Matutes of the Mabel Hospitality group, Ronaldo isn't the only famous sporting name associated with Zela.



Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and former LA Laker centre Pau Gasol are also heavily involved.

While Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias has also lent some dosh to the brand, which has a sister restaurant in Ibiza too.

But, what's on the menu I hear you ask?

Well, diners can enjoy starters including white fish tiradito “malagueño” style, scallops with Ibicencan sobrasada or salmon “Hawaiian” poke with mango and avocado.



We told you it was healthy.

If you're not feeling in the mood for fish, then there's the rice chips with Iberian Ham, burrata and tomato or the homemade Iberian ham gyozas.


FAST FOOD Usain Bolt’s new London restaurant gets off to false start with mixed reception


Once you've scoffed your starter (politely because this is a classy establishment), you can munch on mains such as duck Zela a l’Orange or Japanesse wagyu beef which is sliced at the table for you.

If you want to continue the fishy theme, there's always the lobster – charcoal grilled with yuzu vinagrete.



Not full yet? Don't worry, there's an assortment of sushi, temaki, uramaki, nigiri and sashimi.

There's even the finest caviar on offer for those with bottomless bank balances.

And if you've left room for dessert, Zela has you covered.

Maki with nutella and strawberry, cheesecake with umeshu, brownie with macadamia nuts and chestnut ice are just some of the dishes that will tickle your sweet tooth.




Sadly, prices are left off the online menu, so we can't tell you exactly what everything costs.

But TripAdvisor gives it ££££ on the pay scale, and suggest that it's around £80-£90 a head.

Some reviewers have already expressed their delights with Zela, especially their cocktails.

Mrylmb called it: "Best restaurent ever."




He wrote, "We went to Zela to celebrate a friend’s birthday and it was absolutely amazing!

"Food is fantastic, service was perfect and the ambience couldn’t be better.

"You must try it if you are in London. Don’t forget to ask for a cocktail, Matilda was delicious!"

While Samuele I was equally as impressed. "Definitely one of the higher Restaurants in london good vibes and really friendly staff," he wrote.




"Good point at the design, look like to be inside of the jungle, also the food…. the food !! Whoo incredibile."

But while the punters were impressed, food critic Grace Dent wasn't inspired at all.

She damningly said in The Guardian: "Oddly, for all the millions spent, Zela feels exactly like the West End hell portal Rainforest Cafe."

You just can't please everybody.

To make a reservation, and possibly bump into a footballer, visit Zela's website for details.

Source: Read Full Article